Structures, architectures, systems, methods, algorithms and software for configuring an integrated circuit for multiple packaging types

ABSTRACT

Structures, architectures, systems, an integrated circuit, methods and software for configuring an integrated circuit for multiple packaging types and/or selecting one of a plurality of packaging types for an integrated circuit. The structure generally comprises a bump pad having a plurality of electrically disconnected bump pad sections, a plurality of bond pads each configured for electrical connection to one of the bump pad sections, and a plurality of conductive traces, each adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to the one bump pad section. The software is generally configured to place and route components of such a structure. The method of configuring generally includes the steps of forming the bump pad, the bond pads, and the conductive traces from an uppermost metal layer, and forming an insulation layer thereover. The method of selecting generally comprises forming the uppermost metal layer, and forming either a wire bond to at least one of the bond pads, or a ball bond or solder ball to electrically connect the bump pad section. Embodiments of the present invention may advantageously provide reduced manufacturing costs and reduced inventory management issues by enabling one device to be manufactured at a wafer fab for a plurality of different packaging options, thereby enabling packaging decisions to be made at a later time in the manufacturing process.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/828,492, filed Oct. 6, 2006, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/372,865, filed Mar. 9, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/664,924, filed Mar. 23, 2005, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/724,690, filed Oct. 7, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/729,107, filed Oct. 21, 2005, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of semiconductor and/or integrated circuit packaging. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention pertain to structures, methods, algorithms and software for configuring an integrated circuit for multiple packaging types and/or selecting one of a plurality of packaging types for an integrated circuit.

BACKGROUND

Integrated circuits are widely available in a number of well-known packaging types, including wire-bonded lead packages (e.g., flat packs), ball grid arrays (BGAs; e.g., fine pitch BGAs). Frequently, manufacturers or suppliers of semiconductor and/or integrated circuit products (hereinafter, “integrated circuit(s)” or “ICs”) may wish to provide ICs otherwise having the same functionality and density in different packaging types. However, in general, such functionally identical ICs having different packaging types have, at least in part, a different product number and a different manufacturing flow. Usually, this is due to a perceived need to use a different mask for the uppermost level of metallization in order to form connections between pads on the IC to structures (e.g., ball bonds or wire bonds) that communicate with external devices.

For example, FIG. 1 shows a top-down view of an IC 100 having bond pads 110 a-110 z configured for wire bonding. In such a configuration, the wire bonds often have a sufficient inductance due to their length and/or proximity to other wires to induce cross-talk in neighboring wires. The wires can also act as small antennae, and thus be inadvertently affected by signals on nearby wires or other external sources. As a result, it is a common practice in wire-bonded IC packages to use several wire bonds to carry a common signal. Typically, this practice is used for power and ground wires, where even small fluctuations in the level of the signal can have dramatic effects in IC functions.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows a functionally identical IC 200 having bump pads 210 a-210 z configured for ball bonding. As is readily apparent, the locations of bump pads 210 a-210 z are not, as a whole, identical to the locations of bond pads 110 a-110 z in the IC 100 of FIG. 1, even though the functional circuitry is generally identical between IC 100 and IC 200. Also, the balls (or bumps) that form ball bonds generally do not have an appreciable or significant inductance, so ball bonds generally do not have an appreciable function or action as an antenna. Thus, a single ball bond can carry a power supply or ground signal to a particular location in IC 200, as opposed to the multiple wire bonds used in IC 100 of FIG. 1. Thus, the connection requirements (e.g., input and/or output signals and/or the descriptions thereof) may differ with different packaging options.

As a result, traditionally, two (or more) different versions of ICs are created when different packaging types are desired. This adds the cost of at least one additional mask to produce the different packaging version of the device. It also complicates product inventory management, as the IC packaging decision has to be made at the beginning of wafer production. A need therefore exists to create a single design and/or layout that provides the ability to select one of a number of different packaging types, which will, in turn, reduce the number of masks in making a related family of products, reduce manufacturing costs, simplify product inventory management, and enable greater flexibility with regard to meeting market demands for products having a certain packaging type.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention relate to structures, architectures, systems, methods, algorithms and software for configuring an integrated circuit for multiple packaging types and/or selecting one of a plurality of packaging types for an integrated circuit. The structure generally comprises a bump pad comprising a plurality of electrically disconnected bump pad sections, a plurality of bond pads each configured for electrical connection to a bump pad section, and a plurality of conductive traces each adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to a corresponding bump pad section. In one implementation, each bond pad that is configured for electrical connection to a bump pad section is connected to a unique bump pad section. The architectures and/or systems generally comprise those that include a structure, circuit or layout embodying one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

If a ball bond or solder ball is not attached to the bump pad, the sections of the bump pad are not connected electrically, and an IC containing the structure remains configured for wire bond packaging. By attaching a ball bond or solder ball to the bump pad, the IC may be configured for ball bond packaging. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a structure for enabling multiple packaging options in a single design, layout and/or mask set (other than a pad opening mask).

In one embodiment, the structure further comprises a solder bump or solder ball on the bump pad, electrically connecting each of the bump pad sections to each other. In certain implementations, the structure further comprises a plurality of bumping metal layer sections on or over the bump pad. For example, each of the plurality of bumping metal layer sections may correspond to a unique bump pad section of the bump pad.

Alternatively, the structure may further comprise a wire bond to at least one of (and in one implementation, to each of) the plurality of bond pads. In this alternative embodiment, the structure generally further comprises a plurality of input/output circuits and/or a plurality of circuit protection devices, each input/output circuit electrically communicating with a unique one of the bond pads, and each circuit protection device electrically communicating with at least one of the bond pads.

Another embodiment of the present invention further relates to an integrated circuit or semiconductor device, comprising the present structure and a substrate physically supporting the structure. Generally, the integrated circuit or semiconductor device further comprises a plurality of integrated circuit components or semiconductor devices thereon and/or a packaging material surrounding the substrate and the structure.

Alternatively, the structure may comprise one or more means for attaching a solder ball to an integrated circuit, a plurality of means for attaching a wire bond to the integrated circuit, and a plurality of means for electrically connecting one of the means for attaching a wire bond to a section of the means for attaching a ball bond or solder ball. Each ball bond/solder ball attaching means comprises a plurality of electrically disconnected bump pad sections, and each wire bond attaching means is configured for electrical connection to the ball bond/solder ball attaching means.

The method of manufacturing or making the structure generally comprises the steps of forming, from an uppermost metal layer on a device, a bump pad comprising a plurality of electrically disconnected bump pad sections, a plurality of bond pads, each configured for electrical connection to one of the bump pad sections, and a plurality of conductive traces, each adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to the one bump pad section; and forming an insulation layer over the uppermost metal layer. In general, the insulation layer comprises an uppermost passivation layer, and the method further comprises forming an opening in the insulation layer over either the plurality of bond pads or the bump pad. However, in alternative embodiments, the method may further comprise forming a wire bond to at least a subset of the bond pads when the opening is over either plurality of bond pads, or forming a solder bump or solder ball on or over the bump pad when the opening is over either plurality of bump pad, thereby electrically connecting the plurality of bump pad sections. In one implementation, forming the bump pad comprises depositing a bumping metal onto the plurality of bump pad sections and forming one or more electrical disconnections in the bumping metal over the bump pad.

The method of selecting a packaging option generally comprises the steps of forming, from an uppermost metal layer on a device, a bump pad having a plurality of electrically disconnected sections, a plurality of bond pads each configured for electrical connection to one of the bump pad sections, and a plurality of conductive traces adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to one of the bump pad sections, and then forming either a wire bond to at least one of the bond pads or a ball bond on the bump pad, thereby electrically connecting the plurality of bump pad sections. In one embodiment, the bump pad comprises a bumping metal on a sectional ball bond pad, the bumping metal having one or more electrical disconnections therein over the ball bond pad. As for the method of manufacturing, the device generally further comprises an uppermost passivation layer over the uppermost metal layer, and the method of selecting a packaging option further comprises forming an opening in the uppermost passivation layer over either the plurality of bond pads or the bump pad before forming the wire bond, the ball bond or the solder ball. In general, forming the wire bond selects a wire bond packaging option, and forming the ball bond or the solder ball selects the ball bond packaging option.

The algorithm, computer program(s), waveform and/or software generally comprises a set of executable instructions configured to place a plurality of bond pads and a bump pad having a plurality of electrically disconnected sections in an upper metal layer, each such bond pad configured for electrical connection to one of the bump pad sections, and route a plurality of conductive traces in the upper metal layer, each trace adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to one of the bump pad sections. The program may further comprise one or more instructions to select a ball bond packaging option, in which case the computer program or waveform includes an instruction to form a solder bump or solder ball on or over the bump pad, thereby electrically connecting the plurality of bump pad sections. Alternatively, the program may further comprise one or more instructions to select a wire bond packaging option, in which case the computer program or waveform includes an instruction to form a wire bond to at least a subset of the bond pads.

In one embodiment, rather than using an under-bump metal to short disconnections on the redistribution layer(s) (e.g., a layer of conductive material deposited on an uppermost layer of metal, typically on a bond pad for subsequent formation of a wire bond or a ball bond thereon), if an under-bumping metal is present (e.g., in the uppermost layer of metal and/or in the first conductive layer of material formed thereon), the under-bumping metal preserves the disconnections in the bump pad with a small gap. The ball bond itself will adhere to or connect with each section of the bump pad and make the electrical connections with the plurality of bump pad sections itself. The advantage of this is that if an under-bump metal layer exists, the under-bump metal can be applied before the IC chips are designated for flip chip or bond wire packages. In this manner, the under-bump metal can be applied by either the wafer fab or the packaging house, whichever is most cost efficient at a given time.

Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide reduced manufacturing costs by using a common mask for the level of metal (typically the uppermost such level) forming pads in various packaging options. Embodiments of the present invention also reduce inventory management issues by enabling one device to be manufactured at a wafer level for a plurality of different packaging options, thereby enabling packaging decisions to be made at a later time in the manufacturing process (e.g., immediately prior to packaging).

These and other advantages will become readily apparent from the detailed description of embodiments below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a top-down view of a conventional integrated circuit/semiconductor die configured for wire bonding.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a top-down view of a conventional integrated circuit/semiconductor die configured for flip-chip ball bonding.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a top-down view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a top-down view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a top-down view of an embodiment of a bump pad according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5B-5C show cross-sectional views of a first embodiment of the bump pad of FIG. 5A along lines A-A′ or B-B′, respectively, with a ball bond formed thereon.

FIG. 5D shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the bump pad of FIG. 5A along lines A-A′, with a ball bond formed thereon.

FIGS. 6A-6F show cross-sectional views of an IC during various stages of manufacturing the bump pad and ball bond of FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIGS. 7A-7B show cross-sectional views of an IC during latter stages of an alternative embodiment for manufacturing the bump pad of FIG. 5D.

FIGS. 8A-8D show cross-sectional views of an IC during various stages of manufacturing in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While aspects of the embodiments will be described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments of invention are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.

Unless specifically stated otherwise and/or as is apparent from the following discussions, throughout the present application, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “operating,” “determining,” “manipulating,” “forming,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a controlled apparatus (generally a computer-controlled apparatus), processing system, circuit or similar processing device (e.g., a semiconductor manufacturing or packaging apparatus), that deposits, removes, manipulates and/or transforms materials or other physical structures on a substrate. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience and simplicity, the terms “solder bump” and/or “solder ball” are generally used interchangeably herein and are generally given their art-recognized meanings, but the use of one such term herein generally includes the other term. Also, for convenience and simplicity, the terms “connected to,” “coupled with,” “coupled to,” and “in communication with” (which terms also refer to direct and/or indirect relationships between the connected, coupled and/or communication elements unless the context of the term's use unambiguously indicates otherwise) may be used interchangeably, but these terms are also generally given their art-recognized meanings.

The embodiments, in their various aspects, will be explained in greater detail below with regard to exemplary embodiments.

Exemplary Structures, Architectures and/or Layouts

In general, the structure comprises a disconnection in the bump pad and/or each of the plurality of conductive traces. In one embodiment (e.g., discussed below with regard to FIGS. 3-7B), the bump pad comprises a plurality of bump pad (or ball bond pad) sections connected to a plurality of bumping metal layer segments having an electrical disconnection (e.g., a gap) therebetween. In an alternative embodiment, (e.g., discussed below with regard to FIGS. 8A-8D), the bump pad comprises a plurality of bump pad sections without a bumping metal layer thereon. In general, regardless of whether or not a bumping metal layer is used, an electrical disconnection exists between at least first and second bump pad sections, which can be shorted by attaching a ball bond to the sectional bump pad.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary structure 300 comprising a first bumping metal layer section 340 and a second bumping metal layer section 342, on and/or over the bump pad region generally defined by bump pad sections 320-322 (and designated, at least in part, by dashed lines). A bump pad region is generally a location on the IC where a solder bump or solder ball (also referred to herein as a “ball bond”) may be subsequently formed. Thus, the present structure may further comprise a solder bump or solder ball on or over the bump pad. In this case, because the bump pad region and the bond pads (e.g., 310 and 312) are on the same surface of the IC, the bump pads are generally configured for flip-chip ball bonding. In addition, structure 300 generally comprises a plurality of bond pads 310 and 312, each having a conductive trace (330 and 332, respectively) electrically connecting it to one of bump pad sections 320 or 322, respectively. As shown, each bond pad is electrically connected to a unique bump pad section. Like bumping metal layer sections 340 and 342, the bump pad sections 320 and 322 have one or more disconnections 325 therebetween.

As is conventional in the art, exemplary structure 300 may further contain conventional input and/or output circuits 350 and 352. Each input/output circuit 350 and 352 is in electrical communication with one of the bond pads (310 and 312, respectively), via a conductive trace (330 and 332, respectively). Typically, input/output circuits 350 and 352 are placed (or laid out) in relatively close proximity to bond pads 310 and 312. Depending on the exact placement of the bump pad region 320-322, input/output circuits 350 and 352 may or may not be placed in close proximity thereto. Typically, input/output circuits 350 and 352 are farther away from the bump pad region 320-322 than from bond pads 310 and 312. As a result, any electrical disconnection (effectively between bond pads and the corresponding I/O circuits) is located in, or relatively close to, the bump pad region 320-322 (e.g., disconnection 325).

When input/output circuits 350 and 352 are configured as input and/or input/output buffers, they may provide an input signal (354 and 356, respectively) to the internal devices and/or circuitry of the IC. Additionally or alternatively, input/output circuits 350 and 352 may further include or be configured as circuit protection devices, in which case each of the bond pads 310 and 312 may be in electrical communication with at least one of the circuit protection devices (e.g., 350 and 352, respectively). In one alternative (not shown in FIG. 3), a single circuit protection device can be in electrical communication with more than one (e.g., adjacent) bond pads. Thus, when a wire bond is subsequently formed to a bond pad (e.g., bond pad 310), the signal carried on the wire bond is automatically in communication with input/output circuit 350.

FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary structure 400, comprising a plurality of bumping metal layer sections 440-446 on and/or over the bump pad region generally defined by bump pad sections 420, 422, 424 and 426 (and designated, at least in part, by dashed lines). In addition, structure 400 generally comprises a plurality of bond pads 410, 412, 414 and 416, each having a conductive trace (430, 432, 434 and 436, respectively) electrically connecting it to one of bump pad sections 420, 422, 424 and 426, respectively. The bump pad sections 420, 422, 424 and 426 and bumping metal layer sections 440, 442, 444 and 446 have disconnection(s) 421, 423, 425 and 427 therebetween. Thus, the bump pad region may contain 2, 3, 4, or more bump pad sections, essentially up to the limit of such sections to which conductive traces can be formed, and over or on which a ball bond can be formed. Similar to the exemplary structure 300 in FIG. 3, exemplary structure 400 (FIG. 4) may further contain conventional input and/or output circuits 450, 452, 454 and 456. Each input/output circuit 450, 452, 454 and 456 is in electrical communication with one of the bond pads (410, 412, 414 and 416, respectively), via a conductive trace (430, 432, 434 and 436, respectively).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the size, area or diameter of the bump region can vary, depending on the number of bump pad sections and the size (or pitch) of the ball bond formed thereon. For example, assuming bond pads 310-312 in FIG. 3 have substantially the same dimensions as bond pads 410-416 in FIG. 4, the bump pad region in FIG. 4 may have dimensions suitable for ball grid array (BGA) packaging, and the bump pad region in FIG. 3 may have dimensions suitable for fine pitch ball grid array (FPBGA) packaging. In fact, it is possible in embodiments of the present invention to configure the structure for three or more packaging options (e.g., a wire bond option and two or more ball bond options having different dimensions). In such a case, the different bump pad regions (or section[s] thereof) may overlap and/or be placed in different (e.g., separate or exclusive) locations.

FIG. 5A is a top-down view of the bump pad region of the present structure, and FIGS. 5B-5C show cross-sections of the bump pad region of FIG. 5A having a ball bond thereon, along the A-A′ axis and B-B′ axis, respectively. For example, referring to FIG. 5A, bump pad region 500 comprises a bumping metal layer 520 split into four sections, covering first bump pad section 502, second bump pad section 504, third bump pad section 506, and fourth bump pad section 508. Between the different portions or sections of the bumping metal layer 520 are located disconnections 532 and 534, generally comprising an insulating layer in the structure under the bumping metal layer 520. For example, a bumping metal layer portion 520 a may be in direct contact with an underlying bump pad section (e.g., 510 in FIG. 5B), and another bumping metal layer portion 520 b may be in contact with a second underlying bump pad section (e.g., 512 in FIG. 5B). An electrical disconnection 532, comprising a section of the underlying insulation or passivation layer having an exposed upper surface, may be between (and in contact with) the two first bumping metal layer portion 520 a and/or may be in direct contact with the two bump pad sections 510 and 512, as well as the two bumping metal layer portions 520 a and 520 b (FIGS. 5A-5B).

FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the bump pad region 500 of FIG. 5A along the A-A′ axis, but further comprising a ball bond 550 thereon, in accordance with a first embodiment of this invention. Bump pad/ball bond region 500′ (FIG. 5B) shows a first bump pad section 510, a second bump pad section 512, bumping metal layer sections 520 a-520 b, a passivation or insulation layer 530, a disconnection 534, and a ball bond (or solder bump) 550. First and second bump pad sections 510 and 512 generally comprise the same layer of metal in the IC or semiconductor chip (e.g., the uppermost layer of metal). Such metal may comprise copper or aluminum. Disconnection 534 electrically isolates first bump pad section 510 from second bump pad section 512. Insulation layer 530 and disconnection 534 generally comprise the outermost layer of insulation, and may comprise or be selected from silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or a laminate or combination thereof (e.g., silicon nitride over silicon oxide).

The bumping metal in layer 520 is conventional, and may comprise one or more materials conventionally used to interface (or provide a reliable electrical connection) between bump pad sections 510-512 and ball bond 550. Thus, bumping metal 520 may comprise a lower adhesive layer (e.g., titanium [Ti], tantalum [Ta], silicon [Si] or aluminum [Al]), and an outermost barrier layer (e.g., of titanium nitride [TiN], tantalum nitride [TaN], tungsten nitride [WN], or an alloy of titanium-tungsten [TiW] or nickel-vanadium [NiV]) and/or ball bond adhesion promoter (e.g., nickel [Ni], copper [Cu] or Cu alloy, silver [Ag] or gold [Au]). However, as can be seen in FIG. 5B, bumping metal layer 520 electrically connects the various bump pad sections (e.g., first and second bump pad sections 510 and 512 in FIG. 5B, and first through fourth bump pad sections 502, 504, 506 and 508 in FIG. 5A) to each other, thereby enabling transmission of a single external signal (or a single power supply, reference voltage or reference signal such as a clock) to multiple input or input/output circuits or circuit blocks (see FIGS. 3-4).

Referring to FIG. 5B, the first bumping metal layer 520 is divided into first and second segments 524, 526. The first segment 524 is connected to the first bump pad section 510 at a first lower bumping metal layer portion 525, and the second segment 526 is connected to the second bump pad section 512 at a second lower bumping metal layer portion 527. A gap 560 is formed between the first and second segments 524, 526. The gap 560 electrically isolates the first segment 524 from the second segment 526. The ball bond 550 is then formed on the first and second segments 524, 526 to connect the first and second segments 524, 526 with each other. Forming a gap 560 between the first and second segments 524, 526 provides the advantage of allowing the bumping metal layer 520 to be applied before the integrated circuit chip is designated for flip chip or bond wire packages. In this way, the bumping metal layer 520 can now be applied by the Fab or the packaging house, for example.

Ball bond 550 is also conventional, and may contain, for example, a conventional lead-free solder material (e.g., a tin [Sb]-silver [Ag]-copper [Cu] alloy containing from 90 to 98% Sb, 1.8 to 8% Ag, and from 0.2-2% Cu (percentages being by weight, volume or moles/atoms).

FIG. 5C shows a cross-sectional view of the bump pad region 500 of FIG. 5A along the B-B′ axis, further comprising ball bond 550 thereon. Bump pad/ball bond region 500″ (FIG. 5C) shows ball bond 550 and disconnection 534 in insulation layer 530. In this case, insulation layer 530 contains second and third disconnections 536 and 538, electrically isolating first bump pad section 502 from fourth bump pad section 508 (see FIG. 5A) and second bump pad section 504 from third bump pad section 506, respectively.

FIG. 5D shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of bump pad region 500 of FIG. 5A along the A-A′ axis, further comprising a ball bond 550 thereon, in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention. Bump pad/ball bond region 500′″ (FIG. 5D) shows a first bump pad section 510, a second bump pad section 512, a first bumping metal layer section 522 a, a second bumping metal layer section 522 b, a passivation or insulation layer 530, a disconnection 534, and a ball bond (or solder bump) 550. First and second bump pad sections 510 and 512 generally comprise the same layer of metal in the IC or semiconductor chip (e.g., the uppermost layer of metal). Such metal may comprise copper or aluminum. Disconnection 534 electrically isolates first bump pad section 510 from second bump pad section 512. Insulation layer 530 and disconnection 534 generally comprise the outermost layer of insulation, and may comprise or be selected from silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or a laminate or combination thereof (e.g., silicon nitride over silicon oxide).

The bumping metal in layer 522 is conventional, and may comprise one or more materials conventionally used to interface (or provide a reliable electrical connection) between bump pad sections 510-512 and ball bond 550. Thus, bumping metal 522 may comprise a lower adhesive layer (e.g., titanium [Ti], tantalum [Ta], silicon [Si] or aluminum [Al]), and an outermost barrier layer (e.g., of titanium nitride [TiN], tantalum nitride [TaN], tungsten nitride [WN], or an alloy of titanium-tungsten [TiW] or nickel-vanadium [NiV]) and/or ball bond adhesion promoter (e.g., nickel [Ni], copper [Cu] or Cu alloy, silver [Ag] or gold [Au]). However, as can be seen in FIG. 5D, bumping metal layer sections 522 may have each have a small portion that overlies a substantially planar surface of insulation layer 530. Ball bond 550 electrically connects the various bump pad sections (e.g., first and second bump pad sections 510 and 512 in FIG. 5D, and first through fourth bump pad sections 502, 504, 506 and 508 in FIG. 5A) to each other, thereby enabling transmission of a single external signal (or a single power supply, reference voltage or reference signal such as a clock) to multiple input or input/output circuits or circuit blocks.

Referring to FIG. 5D, the first bumping metal layer 522 is divided into first and second segments 522 a and 522 b. The first segment 522 a is connected to the first bump pad section 510, and the second segment 522 b is connected to the second bump pad section 512. A gap or disconnection is formed between the first and second segments 522 a and 522 b. The gap electrically isolates the first segment 522 a from the second segment 522 b. The ball bond 550 is then formed on the first and second segments 522 a and 522 b to electrically connect the first and second bump pad sections 510 and 512 with each other. Forming a gap 565 between the first and second segments 554, 556 provides the advantage of allowing the bumping metal layer 520 to be applied before the integrated circuit chip is designated for flip chip or bond wire packages. In this way, the bumping metal layer 520 can be applied by either the Fab or the packaging house, for example.

An Exemplary Method of Making the Structure

FIGS. 6A-6F show cross-sectional views of an exemplary structure during various stages of a first exemplary manufacturing method in which a ball bond packaging option (e.g., BGA, FPBGA, etc.) is selected. Generally, the cross-sectional views show a cross-section of the structure 500′ in FIG. 5B (i.e., a first embodiment of the structure 500 in FIG. 5A, taken along the A-A′ axis). However, FIGS. 6A-6F focus on a first method of manufacturing (or making) a structure having a plurality of available packaging options.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, first and second bump pad sections 610 and 612 may be formed by depositing, then photolithographically patterning and etching, a layer of metal on substrate 600. A wire bond pad (not shown) may be formed at the same time. Substrate 600 generally comprises an outer (or exposed) insulator layer, under which or adjacent to which may be located active circuit components, such as busses, conductive (metal) traces, resistors, fuses, etc., in addition to input/output and/or protective circuitry as explained above. As shown in FIG. 6A, the metal may comprise aluminum and may be deposited by sputtering. Alternatively, first and second bump pad sections 610 and 612 may be formed by damascene metal formation (e.g., patterning and etching an upper insulator layer in substrate 600), in which case the bulk metal may comprise copper (and the structure will not appear identical to that shown in FIG. 6A).

As shown in FIG. 6B, an insulator or passivation layer 620 (as described above for insulator layer 530) is deposited onto the structure in FIG. 6A (generally by chemical vapor deposition [CVD], which may include plasma-enhanced CVD or high density plasma CVD). After deposition, the passivation layer 620 may be planarized (e.g., by polishing or CMP, reflow, etchback, etc.). At this point, the manufacturer still has all possible packaging options available, since no ball bond has been formed over the first and second bump pad sections 610 and 612. Also, after formation of the passivation layer 620, most (or all) conventional wafer manufacturing flows may be considered complete. Subsequent openings made in passivation layer 620 may be considered a first step in the packaging process, when such openings are formed at a packaging facility.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, openings 624 and 626 are formed in passivation layer 620, generally by conventional photolithography and etching. Similar openings are also formed over the bond pads for the wire bonding option (not shown). In the embodiment of FIG. 6C, openings 624 and 626 generally leave disconnection portion 622 in place (e.g., between first and second bump pad sections 610 and 612). In addition, openings 624 and 626 generally expose those bump pad sections to be electrically connected to each other and to corresponding bond pad sections (not shown). The slope of the sidewalls of openings 624 and 626 may be slightly exaggerated in the case of FIG. 6C. In many cases, the slope may be more perpendicular to the plane of first and second bump pad sections 610 and 612 (e.g., closer to the range of 80-87°). However, in most commercial applications, the slope of the sidewalls of the bump pad openings (e.g., 624 and 626) should be less than 90°, to provide a somewhat concave “cup” in which parts (or all) of a subsequent solder ball or solder bump may fit relatively securely.

At this point, the present method of making a structure having multiple packaging options may be substantially complete. From this point forward, the method of making is directed more towards making an IC having one of a plurality of packaging options. In general, one selects a packaging option by forming either (i) a wire bond to at least one of the bond pads, or (ii) a solder bump or solder ball on or over the bump pad.

Referring now to FIG. 6D, a bumping metal layer 630 is formed by conventionally depositing one or more conventional bumping metal layers (generally by sputtering, CVD or ion metal plasma [IMP]-assisted deposition). Bumping metal layer 630 is similarly formed over the bond pads for wire bonding (not shown).

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6E, bumping metal layer sections 632 and 634 are formed by planarizing the bumping metal layer 630 (e.g., by chemical mechanical polishing [CMP], reflow, etchback, etc.) to form first and second bumping metal layer sections 632 and 634 on corresponding bump pad sections (e.g., 610 and 612) exposed by openings 624 and 626 (FIG. 6C) in passivation layer 620. The first and second bumping metal layer sections 632 and 634 further have a disconnection (e.g., 622) therebetween. The disconnection 622 (which may also be characterized as a gap) may be formed by planarizing the bumping metal layer until an upper surface of the underlying insulation or passivation layer 622 is exposed. Such planarization also removes bumping metal layer 630 from the uppermost (e.g., substantially horizontal and/or planar) surface of passivation layer 620 outside of the openings for the wire bonding bond pads (not shown).

Finally, FIG. 6F shows the structure having a ball bond 640 conventionally attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 6F, ball bond 640 has a contact area with bumping metal layer sections 632 and 634 that may be greater than the exposed surface area of the first and second bump pad segments 610 and 612, contributing to the concave “cup” configuration in which parts of solder ball/solder bump 640 fit securely. Ball bond 640 connects the first and second bumping metal layer sections 632 and 634 so that they are electrically coupled or shorted.

As mentioned above, one may also select a wire bond packaging option (e.g., a quad flat pack, multi-chip module, etc.) rather than forming the ball bond 640. Thus, in the present method of making a semiconductor device or IC having one of a plurality of packaging options, to select a wire bond packaging option, one simply uses the existing openings in the passivation layer 630 over at least one of the plurality of bond pads, then forms a wire bond to each of the exposed bond pads (e.g., between a bond pad and a corresponding lead of a lead frame). In many cases, openings will be formed to at least two of the plurality of bond pads, and in some cases, to all of the bond pads adapted to be electrically connected to the bump pad. Additionally, to select a ball grid array packaging option, one simply forms a ball bond 640 over the exposed portions of the first and second segments 632 and 634 of the bumping metal layer 630.

A Second Exemplary Method of Manufacturing

FIGS. 7A-7B shows a second embodiment of the present method of manufacturing, in which the gap between the first and second segments of the bumping metal layer is formed using a photolithographic patterning and etching process on the bumping metal layer(s) instead of a planarization process. FIGS. 7A-7B show cross-sectional views of an alternative exemplary structure to FIGS. 6D-6E during stages of an exemplary manufacturing method in which a ball bond packaging option is selected. Generally, the cross-sectional views show a cross-section of the structure 500′ in FIG. 5D (i.e., a second embodiment of the structure 500 in FIG. 5A, taken along the A-A′ axis). FIGS. 7A-B illustrate an alternative method of manufacturing a gap between first and second segments of the bumping metal layer after the structure shown in FIG. 6C is formed.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, a gap 665 in the bumping metal layer may be formed by depositing, then photolithographically patterning and etching, predetermined portions of the bumping metal layer. Upon forming the gap 665, the bumping metal layer is divided into first and second segments 632′ and 634′, having the gap 665 formed therebetween. The gap 665 electrically isolates the first segment 632′ from the second segment 634′ in much the same way and having same the benefits of the disconnection(s) and/or gap(s) discussed above.

Finally, FIG. 7B shows the structure having a ball bond 640 conventionally attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 6F, ball bond 640 has a contact area with bumping metal layer sections 632′ and 634′ that may be greater than the exposed surface area of the first and second bump pad segments 610 and 612, contributing to the concave “cup” configuration in which parts of solder ball/solder bump 640 fit securely. Ball bond 640 connects the first and second bump pad segments 610 and 612 so that they are electrically coupled or shorted.

A Third Exemplary Method of Manufacturing

FIGS. 8A-8D shows a third embodiment of the present structure, in which a disconnection portion 722 is formed between first and second bump pad sections 710 and 712 using an etch back process. FIGS. 8A-8D show cross-sectional views of an exemplary structure during various stages of a third exemplary manufacturing method in which a ball bond packaging option (e.g., BGA, FPBGA) is selected. Generally, the cross-sectional views show a cross-section of a third embodiment of the structure 500 in FIG. 5A, taken along the A-A′ axis.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, first and second bump pad sections 710 and 712 may be formed by depositing, then photolithographically patterning and etching, a layer of metal on substrate 700. A wire bond pad (not shown) may be formed at the same time. Substrate 700 generally comprises an outer (or exposed) insulator layer, under which or adjacent to which may be located active circuit components, such as busses, conductive (metal) traces, resistors, fuses, etc., in addition to input/output and/or protective circuitry as explained above. As shown in FIG. 8A, the metal may comprise aluminum and may be deposited by sputtering. Alternatively, first and second bump pad sections 710 and 712 may be formed by damascene metal formation (e.g., patterning and etching an upper insulator layer in substrate 700), in which case the bulk metal may comprise copper (and the structure will not appear identical to that shown in FIG. 8A).

As shown in FIG. 8B, an insulator or passivation layer 720 (as described above for insulator layer 530) is deposited onto the structure in FIG. 8A (generally by CVD, as described elsewhere herein). After deposition, the passivation layer 720 may be planarized (e.g., by polishing or CMP, reflow, etchback, etc.). At this point, the manufacturer still has all possible packaging options available, since no ball bond has been formed over the first and second bump pad sections 710 and 712. Also, after formation of the passivation layer 720, most (or all) conventional wafer manufacturing flows may be considered complete.

Upon depositing the passivation layer 720, a masking layer 725 (generally known as a pad open mask) is then deposited over the passivation layer 720 and then patterned. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, an opening 724 is formed in passivation layer 720, generally by conventional photolithography and either etch back or a selective etch of the passivation layer 720. In the embodiment of FIG. 8C, openings 724 generally leave disconnection portion 722 in place (e.g., between first and second bump pad sections 710 and 712). Thus, the end point for etching the passivation layer 720 is generally a predetermined period of time (for either etch back of selective etch, when one knows with reasonable certainty the etch rate of the passivation layer 720 under the etch conditions used) or a reflectance or absorption of a predetermined wavelength of light known to have a significantly different reflectivity or absorption for the material of bump pad sections 710 and 712 relative to the material of passivation layer 720. In addition, opening 724 exposes the bump pad sections 710, 712 which may later be electrically connected to each other.

The slope of the sidewalls of opening 724 may be slightly exaggerated in the case of FIG. 8C. In many cases, the slope may be more perpendicular to the plane of first and second bump pad sections 710 and 712 (e.g., closer to the range of 80-87°). However, in most commercial applications, the slope of the sidewalls of the bump pad openings (e.g., 724) should be less than 90°, to provide a somewhat concave “cup” in which parts (or all) of a subsequent solder ball or solder bump may fit relatively securely. Subsequent processing steps and structures formed over the bump pad sections 710 and 712 may be considered a first step in the packaging process.

To improve adhesion of a subsequently formed ball bond to first and second bump pad sections 710 and 712, or of a wire bond to a bond pad (not shown), a conductive adhesive material may be selectively deposited (e.g., by electroplating, electroless plating or epitaxial deposition) thereon, forming bumping metal layer portions 730 and 732 (see FIG. 8D). Finally, FIG. 8D shows the structure having a ball bond 740 conventionally attached thereto. Ball bond 740 connects the first and second bump pad sections 710 and 712 so that they are electrically coupled or shorted.

Alternatively, the semiconductor or IC manufacturer and/or designer may select a wire bond packaging option by electrically connecting a wire bond to a bond pad (not shown). In such a case, the bump pad sections retain the electrical disconnection therein (between the first and second bump pads 710 and 712), and do not further contain a ball bond electrically connecting the first and second bump pads to each other. In other words, a ball bond is not formed over the first and second bump pads.

An Exemplary Integrated Circuit

In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to an integrated circuit or semiconductor device, comprising the present structure (largely as described above) and a substrate physically supporting the structure. Such an integrated circuit or semiconductor device may further comprise a plurality of integrated circuit components or semiconductor devices thereon (e.g., I/O circuits 350, 352, 450, 452, 454, and/or 456 of FIGS. 3A-3B, or other circuitry, such as one or more memory blocks or arrays, [micro]processor blocks, signal processing blocks, logic functions or arrays, timing circuits, etc.). In addition, the integrated circuit or semiconductor device may further comprise a packaging material (e.g., a packaging substrate, which may comprise a lead frame when a wire bond packaging option is selected or a conventional ball bonding substrate when a ball bonding packaging option is selected, and a conventional epoxy material to encapsulate the IC) surrounding the substrate and the structure.

Exemplary Software

Embodiments of the present invention may also include algorithms, computer program(s) and/or software, implementable and/or executable in a general purpose computer or workstation equipped with a conventional (digital) signal processor or other processing device, configured to place a bump pad having a plurality of disconnected sections and a plurality of bond pads in an upper metal layer, each such bond pad configured for electrical connection to one of the bump pad sections, and route a plurality of conductive traces in the upper metal layer, each trace adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to the corresponding bump pad section. Thus, a further aspect of the exemplary embodiments relates to algorithms and/or software that implement the above design(s) and/or layout(s). For example, the embodiments may further relate to a computer program, computer-readable medium or waveform containing a set of instructions which, when executed by an appropriate processing device (e.g., a signal processing device, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor or DSP device), is configured to place IC devices and/or structures and route signal paths therebetween, as such structures and signal paths are generally described herein and/or are known in the art.

For example, the computer program may be on any kind of readable medium, and the computer-readable medium may comprise any medium that can be read by a processing device configured to read the medium and execute code stored thereon or therein, such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, magnetic tape or hard disk drive. Such code may comprise object code, source code and/or binary code.

The waveform is generally configured for transmission through an appropriate medium, such as copper wire, a conventional twisted pair wireline, a conventional network cable, a conventional optical data transmission cable, or even air or a vacuum (e.g., outer space) for wireless signal transmissions. The waveform and/or code for implementing the present method(s) are generally digital, and are generally configured for processing by a conventional digital data processor (e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, or logic circuit such as a programmable gate array, programmable logic circuit/device or application-specific [integrated] circuit).

In various embodiments, the computer program or waveform contains one or more instructions to select a ball bond packaging option or a wirebond packaging option. For example, the instruction(s) to select the ball bond packaging option may cause an integrated circuit assembly and/or packaging apparatus to form a solder bump or solder ball on or over the bump pad, thereby electrically connecting the plurality of bump pad sections. Alternatively, the instruction(s) to select the wire bond packaging option may cause the integrated circuit assembly and/or packaging apparatus to form a wire bond to at least a subset of the bond pads.

An Exemplary Method of Selecting an IC Packaging Option

In a further aspect, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of selecting a packaging option, comprising the steps of forming, from an uppermost metal layer on a device, a bump pad having a plurality of electrically disconnected sections therein, a plurality of bond pads (each configured for electrical connection to a bump pad section), and a plurality of conductive traces, each trace adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to the corresponding bump pad section, and forming either (i) a wire bond to at least one of the bond pads, or (ii) a ball bond to the bump pad, thereby electrically connecting the bump pad sections to each other. Thus, there is overlap between the methods of manufacturing a device having multiple packaging options available for selection, as described above.

In one embodiment, a ball bond packaging option may be selected by attaching a ball bond or solder ball onto the bump pad. In most cases, a bumping metal is deposited onto the plurality of bump pad sections, such that the bumping metal contains electrical disconnections therein. The electrical disconnections in the bumping metal may (and preferably do) correspond to the bump pad sections. To select a wire bond packaging option, one simply forms a wire bond to at least one of the bond pads. Optionally, the method may form a wire bond to at least two of the bond pads, or to each of the bond pads in the plurality of bond pads. In general, the method further comprises forming an opening over the plurality of bond pads and/or the bump pad before the forming step, depending on which packaging option is selected and the desired and/or available number of “pad open” masks. For example, when only one “pad open” mask is used, openings are formed over both the bond pads and the bump pads, and the bonding option is chosen as described herein.

CONCLUSION/SUMMARY

Thus, embodiments of the present invention may provide a structure, methods and software for configuring an integrated circuit for multiple packaging types and/or selecting one of a plurality of packaging types for an integrated circuit. Embodiments of the present invention may advantageously provide reduced manufacturing costs by using a common mask for the level of metal (typically the uppermost such level) used for forming pads in various packaging options. Embodiments of the present invention may also reduce inventory management issues by enabling one device to be manufactured at a wafer level for a plurality of different packaging options, thereby enabling packaging decisions to be made at a later time in the manufacturing process (e.g., immediately prior to packaging). Thus, embodiments of the present invention may provide significant and/or commercially important benefits to integrated circuit designers, manufacturers, and sellers/distributors.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A structure, comprising: a bump pad comprising a plurality of electrically disconnected bump pad sections; a plurality of disconnected bumping metal layer sections on or over the bump pad, each bumping metal layer section corresponding to a respective bump pad section; a plurality of bond pads, each configured for independent electrical connection to one of the bump pad sections; a plurality of input/output circuits corresponding to the plurality of bond pads, each input/output circuit electrically coupled with a unique one of the plurality of bond pads; a plurality of conductive traces, each conductive trace configured to electrically connect one of the bond pads of the plurality of bond pads to a unique one of the bump pad sections, each unique one of the bump pad sections corresponds to a bond pad; and a plurality of disconnections, each disconnection located between each of the unique one of the bump pad sections.
 2. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a solder bump or a solder ball on the bump pad, the solder bump or the solder ball electrically connecting each of the bumping metal layer sections to each other.
 3. The structure of claim 2, wherein a first contact area between each bumping metal layer section and the solder bump or the solder ball is greater than a second contact area between each bump pad section and the solder bump or the solder ball in the absence of the bumping metal layer sections.
 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein the first contact area is sufficiently greater than the second contact area to enhance a secure fit of the solder bump or the solder ball.
 5. The structure of claim 2, wherein the solder bump or the solder ball is not in contact with the plurality of bump pad sections.
 6. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a solder bump or a solder ball on or over the bumping metal layer, the solder bump or the solder ball electrically connecting each of the bumping metal layer sections and each of the plurality of bump pad sections to each other.
 7. The structure of claim 6, wherein the solder bump or the solder ball is not in contact with the plurality of bump pad sections.
 8. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a wire bond electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of bond pads.
 9. The structure of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of bond pads comprises a respective wire bond.
 10. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of circuit protection devices, wherein each of the plurality of bond pads is electrically coupled with at least one of the circuit protection devices.
 11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the bumping metal layer sections each have a concave profile.
 12. The structure of claim 11, wherein a concavity of the concave profile of the bumping metal layer sections is sufficient to enhance a secure fit of a subsequently-formed solder bump or solder ball.
 13. The structure of claim 1, wherein each bumping metal layer section has an upper surface area greater than an upper surface area of its corresponding bump pad section.
 14. The structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of input/output circuits are closer in proximity to the bond pads than to the bump pad.
 15. An integrated circuit or semiconductor device, comprising: a structure including; a bump pad comprising a plurality of electrically disconnected bump pad sections; a plurality of disconnected bumping metal layer sections on or over the bump pad, each bumping metal layer section corresponding to a respective bump pad section; a plurality of bond pads, each configured for independent electrical connection to one of the bump pad sections; a plurality of input/output circuits corresponding to the plurality of bond pads, each input/output circuit electrically coupled with a unique one of the plurality of bond pads; and a plurality of conductive traces, each conductive trace configured to electrically connect one of the bond pads of the plurality of bond pads to a unique one of the bump pad sections, each unique one of the bump pad sections corresponds to a bond pad; a plurality of disconnections, each disconnection located between each of the unique one of the bump pad sections; and a substrate physically supporting the structure.
 16. The integrated circuit or semiconductor device of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of integrated circuit components or semiconductor devices thereon.
 17. The integrated circuit or semiconductor device of claim 15, further comprising a packaging material surrounding the substrate and the structure.
 18. A computer program or waveform containing a set of instructions which, when executed by a processing device configured to execute computer-readable instructions, is configured to: place a bump pad and a plurality of bond pads in an upper metal layer, the bump pad comprising (i) a plurality of electrically disconnected bump pad sections and (ii) a plurality of disconnected bumping metal layer sections on or over the bump pad, each bumping metal layer section corresponding to a respective bump pad section, and each of the plurality of bond pads being in electrical communication with a unique input/output circuit; route a plurality of conductive traces in the upper metal layer, each conductive trace configured to electrically connect one of the bond pads of the plurality of bond pads to a unique one of the bump pad sections, each unique one of the bump pad sections corresponds to a bond pad; and place a plurality of disconnections on the bump pad, each disconnection located between each of the unique one of the bump pad sections.
 19. The computer program or waveform of claim 18, further comprising one or more instructions to select a ball bond packaging option.
 20. The computer program or waveform of claim 18, further comprising one or more instructions to select a wire bond packaging option.
 21. The computer program or waveform of claim 18, wherein the plurality of input/output circuits are placed closer in proximity to the bond pads than to the bump pad. 